Black, premium, and fast: This is how Melkus is describing its new RS 2000 Black Edition.
Wait, what’s that? You haven’t heard of Melkus? That’s okay. The German boutique automotive house isn’t exactly well known the world over. But, as with so many other automotive manufacturers, it will debut a car of its own next month in Geneva – and it’s worth a look.
We always find it’s nice to know a little bit about a company’s history, and while Melkus isn’t up there with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Mercedes-Benz, it does have an automotive past worth a quick mention.
Founded in 1959 by race driver Heinz Melkus, the company produced single seat racing cars and sports car from 1959 until 1986. During its heyday, Melkus participated primarily in competitions such as Formula III, Formula Junior, and Formula E.
In 1986, Melkus ceased production on cars altogether and didn’t resurface officially until Peter Melkus, the son of Heinz Melkus, announced in 2006 that Melkus engineering (owned by Peter) would re-launch and update the only production road car Melkus has ever produced, the RS 1000. At this time, Melkus also announced it would release a new design called the Melkus RS 2000, which officially unveiled three years later at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Flash forward to 2012, and Melkus’ RS 2000 is back…in black…and lots of it. The Black edition Melkus RS 2000 takes the original RS 2000 and adds a gleaming — thanks to the painstakingly applied six layers of clearcoat – piano lacquer finish. Adding an air of exclusivity, only a total of five cars from Menkus’ Dresden factory will feature the exclusive paintjob.
Apart from its shiny new coat, the diminutive RS 2000 is powered by a 325 horsepower two-liter turbo-engine with a 6-speed gearbox. Off the line, the RS 2000 can hit a top speed of 168 miles per hour and sprint from 0 to 62 miles per hour in a respectable 4.5 seconds.
In a nod to the company’s original RS 1000, the RS 2000 features beautifully striking gull-wing doors, while adding a comprehensive carbon-fiber bodykit, navigation and infotainment system, as well as a high performance breaking system.
Black is clearly the magic word of the day here, and the interior of the RS 2000 continues that trend with full-grain black leather furnishing and an always-classy Alcantara interior with orange highlights.
Of course all that black may put you in the red; the RS 2000 Black Edition isn’t cheap, starting at €149,900 or about $201,926.
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